Kher.org::Blog

The world famous Nandaemun or "the great South gate" that had survived the weather, Japanese invasions, the Korean war and stood for last 650 years took only five hours to burn to runis.
Police have apprehended a 70-year old korean person who confessed to the arson.
Apparently after climbing aboard the poorly guarded two storey structure, he poured a tin full of paint thinner on the wooden floor and set the gate on fire with a cigarrate lighter.
The arsonist - one Chae Jong Gi said that he did it after becoming disgruntled with goverment short changing him on a deal for the land he owned.

The avarage koreans and Seoulites in particular were shocked and overcame with dismay & grief when the news of the fire broke out and the role of arsonist beacame clearer.
The dismay and shock is directed towards goverment's seeming inability to protect her national treasures - only 10% of which remain with many of those lost felling prey to whims of disgruntled citizens.
The main reason for this might be underfunded restoration/preservation activity in korean goverment - that fails to provide adequate safeguards to her few remaining landmarks.

While the local media is busy commenting on the aftermath, the headline from TIME summed up the local sentiment pretty well.

When the casual attitude of goverment towards cultural landmarks combines with disgruntled citizens seeking solace in vandalizing national monuments, the irony is hard to miss.